6 life lessons that Kuch Kuch Hota Hai taught us

Karan Johar’s Kuch Kuch Hota Hai released on this day 20 years ago… time does fly past doesn’t it? For an entire generation, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was much more than just a film as it taught us the true meaning of friendship and the true meaning of love. Not only this film went on to be a blockbuster, but even today it is regarded as one of Bollywood’s most iconic films. It is hard to put a finger on one thing that you like the most in the film simply because there is so much to love about it. For starters, It had one of Bollywood’s favourite on screen pair of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and if this wasn’t enough star power, it also featured Salman Khan and Rani Mukerji in supporting roles. The film had a story that accurately depicted the value of relations in one’s life and to top it all there were some thumping numbers that topped the charts for quite a while after the release. But, beneath all that ‘naachna gaana’, we learnt a few lessons about relationships that are applicable to our lives even today. Have a look!

Never suppress your feelings

Remember the dialogue about ‘dil ki baat’ from the Rifat Bi (Himani Shivpuri)? She always used to tell Anjali that, “Dil ki baat dil mein nahi rehni chahiye.”. What she obviously means by this is that matters of the heart must not be suppressed. Suppressing your feelings gives you nothing but pain and regret.

Later on in the film, when Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) is playing a game with his daughter in which he has to say the first word that comes to his mind on hearing something he ends up saying Anjali Sharma (Kajol). Coincidence? We think not. In fact, this scene showed that even though Rahul might not have admitted it but in his heart he still loved Anjali.

Love is friendship

The most popular dialogue from the film - “Pyaar dost hai”. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai also taught us that friendship is the first step towards love. At a time when love stories were all about just falling in love, the film showed us that there is more to love than meets the eye.

The most important thing in a relationship is that you must be completely open and comfortable with your special one like you are with your best friends. Anjali and Rahul always looked at each other as good friends however the two of them did no realise how and when that friendship turned into something more.

You can find love again

Yes, we remember the dialogue from the film which says, “Hum ek baar jeete hain, ek baar marte hain. Shaadi ek baar karte hai, aur pyaar bhi ek hi baar karte hai.” However, the film itself proves that you can find love again. After Tina’s (Rani Mukerji) death, Rahul had accepted a life without ‘love’. He was in the belief that there is only one girl out there for every man and he lost his and now has to live with the fact. So, whatever the situation you might yourself in, always believe in love and don’t lose hope just because of one bad experience. Maybe you have an Anjali somewhere out there for you as well.

You’re pretty great just the way you are

The great Oscar Wilde once stated: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Well, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai proved that what he said was just right. It is only human nature to feel that the grass is greener on the other side. So, we try to ‘become’ like other people hoping that we feel more accepted and more important in the society. However, you must realise that nobody, we repeat nobody is perfect and that changing yourself will never be the answer to your problems.

In the film, when Anjali notices that Rahul is attracted to Tina, she tries to become more like her by putting on a short skirt and some lipstick. However, her assumption that Rahul will magically fall in love with her because of her makeover doesn’t come to fruition. Instead, she is mocked by Rahul and the rest of the college. So, trying to be like someone else won’t help you in anyway. Instead, you’ll be better off with someone who loves you for the way you are.

Always keep your promise

Do you recall what were you doing at the age of 8? Probably playing a video game or hanging out with some friends in school. Rahul’s daughter Anjali (Sana Saed) meanwhile was trying get her father reunited with his closest friend just to fulfil the promise she made to her deceased mother. She eventually goes on to complete her mother’s last wish which teaches us that regardless of age, if we make a promise, we must act upon it.

Love happens when you least expect it

When Rifat Bi tells Anjali that she will not know when friendship turns into love, Anjali shrugs off the idea. However, Anjali does fall for the snobbish, self centred and stubborn Rahul in the process doing something she never thought was possible. Which is why the film proves that there is no place or time to fall in love. It just… happens.